Christiaan Barnard: Trailblazer In The Medical Field

Christiaan Barnard was a trailblazer in the medical field. He successfully completed the first human-human heart transplant. This procedure opened the door to all other organ transplant operations. The first human heart transplant was not only a consequential moment in medical history, but it was a remarkable achievement in the world’s history as well.

Christiaan Neethling Barnard was born on November 8th, 1922 in Beaufort West, Cape Province, South Africa. His father was named Adam Barnard and his mother was named Maria Elisabeth de Swart. Barnard also had 5 siblings: Abraham, Johannes, Johannes’ twin sister, who unfortunately died at birth, Chris and Marius. While growing up, Barnard’s family was very poor and resided in Beaufort West. Christiaan

After necessary tests had been performed, the doctors and surgeons officially confirmed that Denise Darvall was brain dead. The surgeons then broke the news to Denise’s father, Edward Darvall, that his daughter had no activity in her brain. Then they asked Mr. Darvall if Denise’s organs could be donated for transplantation and Edward readily agreed.

The recipient, Louis Washkansky, was born in 1913 in Lithuania. At the age of nine, in 1922, Washkansky and his family immigrated to South Africa. Washkansky served in World War II when he was in his late twenties. After the war, Louis Washkansky met and married his wife Ann Sklar, later Ann Washkansky. After completing his service in the military, Washkansky became a grocer and eventually opened his own grocery store. In 1967, Louis had been suffering from diabetes, as well as an incurable heart disease for some time and was in great need of a new heart.

On December 2nd and 3rd, 1967, the donor, 25 year-old Denise Darvall was brain dead, but was being kept alive in order to donate her heart to 54 year-old Louis Washkansky. Christiaan Barnard was the lead surgeon on the operation, however he was assisted by his brother Marius, as well as a surgical team made up of more than 30 other doctors, surgeons and medical